What measures can we adopt to minimize waste generation and improve waste management
Answers
Answer:
Get to know the rules of recycling. ...
Ditch the plastic bags. ...
Make a meal plan. ...
Start relying on reusable containers. ...
Start composting. ...
Learn to repair rather than discard. ...
Cancel unnecessary mail. ...
Stop using disposable plates
Answer:
Waste minimization
Significant reduction of the waste generated in health-care establish-
ments and research facilities may be encouraged by the implementation
of certain policies and practices, including the following:
• Source reduction: measures such as purchasing restrictions to en-
sure the selection of methods or supplies that are less wasteful or
generate less hazardous waste.
• Recyclable products: use of materials that may be recycled, either
on-site or off-site.
• Good management and control practices: apply particularly to
the purchase and use of chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
• Waste segregation: careful segregation (separation) of waste matter
into different categories (see section 7.1) helps to minimize the quan-
tities of hazardous waste.
A number of examples of policies and practices that tend to minimize
quantities of waste are summarized in Box 6.1.
Careful management of stores will prevent the accumulation of large
quantities of outdated chemicals or pharmaceuticals and limit the waste
to the packaging (boxes, bottles, etc.) plus residues of the products re-
maining in the containers. These small amounts of chemical or pharma-
ceutical waste can be disposed of easily and relatively cheaply, whereas
disposing of larger amounts requires costly and specialized treatment,
which underlines the importance of waste minimization.
Waste minimization usually benefits the waste producer: costs for both
the purchase of goods and for waste treatment and disposal are reduced
and the liabilities associated with the disposal of hazardous waste are
lessened.
All health-service employees have a role to play in this process and
should therefore be trained in waste minimization and the management
of hazardous materials. This is particularly important for the staff of
departments that generate large quantities of hazardous waste.
Suppliers of chemicals and pharmaceuticals can also become responsible
partners in waste minimization programmes. The health service can
encourage this by ordering only from suppliers who provide rapid deliv-
ery of small orders, who accept the return of unopened stock, and who
offer off-site waste management facilities for hazardous wastes.
Reducing the toxicity of waste is also beneficial, by reducing the problems
associated with its treatment or disposal. For example, the Supply
Officer could investigate the possibilities of purchasing PVC-free
Explanation:
Examples of policies and practices that
encourage waste minimization
Source reduction
• Purchasing reductions: selection of supplies that are less wasteful or less
hazardous.
• Use of physical rather than chemical cleaning methods (e.g. steam disinfection
instead of chemical disinfection).
• Prevention of wastage of products, e.g. in nursing and cleaning activities.
Management and control measures at hospital level
• Centralized purchasing of hazardous chemicals.
• Monitoring of chemical flows within the health facility from receipt as raw ma-
terials to disposal as hazardous wastes.
Stock management of chemical and pharmaceutical products
• Frequent ordering of relatively small quantities rather than large amounts at one
time (applicable in particular to unstable products).
• Use of the oldest batch of a product first.
• Use of all the contents of each container.
• Checking of the expiry date of all products at the time of delivery.